National

Suspicious fire guts B.C. elementary school, plans underway for students and teachers

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Oct, 2023 10:16 AM

Plans are underway to bring school life back to normal as quickly as possible for students and teachers at a Metro Vancouver elementary school that was destroyed in a suspicious weekend fire.

Coquitlam School District 43 says in a statement to families on its website that plans are in the works to support continued learning for the school community at Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam.

Coquitlam RCMP say they are investigating a suspicious fire at the school, which was fully engulfed when first responders arrived at the scene early Saturday.

Terrible news this morning of a fire at Hazel Trembath Elementary school in Port Coquitlam this morning. Thank you to firefighters for responding so quickly and ensuring the fire did not spread. We will support school district, parents and students through this difficult time. https://t.co/wrdOowXApD
— Rachna Singh (@RachnaSinghNDP) October 14, 2023

1/I’m absolutely devastated to see the images of Hazel Trembath gone. As a former student myself & the parent of a Grade 1 student there, I know what a special place Hazel is. This is heartbreaking.

I’ve spoken with our Fire Department, our School District & senior city staff. pic.twitter.com/KbP1dtJkng
— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) October 14, 2023

The RCMP urged the public to avoid the area in and around the school due to potentially hazardous air quality caused by the fire, saying road closures near the school should be expected for several days as the investigation continues.

About 215 students attended Hazel Trembath Elementary School.

The school district statement said "this is very sad news for our students, staff, and school community."

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

British Columbians unsure about self-driving cars

A new study from U-B-C suggests British Columbians have mixed feelings about self-driving cars. Researchers engaged more than 11-hundred participants from across the province, asking them to watch eight videos showing interactions between pedestrians and vehicles at crosswalks.

British Columbians unsure about self-driving cars

2 charged in Ponzi scheme

Police in Edmonton have charged two people in an alleged Ponzi scheme targeting residents of Alberta and B-C. The department's financial crimes section says it became aware of the alleged scam in early 2020.

2 charged in Ponzi scheme

B.C. judge to review police handling of Surrey constable caught drunk driving

The Office of British Columbia's Police Complaint Commissioner has ordered a review of the case of a Surrey Police Service officer it says asked to be let off when he was caught driving while impaired. It says an investigation by Surrey police confirmed two allegations of discreditable conduct and another of corrupt practice against Const. Rajbir Thaper, but proposed discipline amounting to five days of unpaid suspension was inadequate.

B.C. judge to review police handling of Surrey constable caught drunk driving

Richmond Hospital Foundation gets $10 M from owner of Dan-D Foods

A Richmond business owner is donating 10-million-dollars to the city's hospital. Dan-D Foods founder and owner Dan On says he wants to contribute to the community where he lives and works after living in poverty in Vietnam before moving to Canada and forming his company.

Richmond Hospital Foundation gets $10 M from owner of Dan-D Foods

Residents offered bus visits to burned homes in and around West Kelowna

A statement from the regional emergeny operations centre says only people whose properties are completely destroyed or damaged to the point they're uninhabitable will be invited to participate at this time.

Residents offered bus visits to burned homes in and around West Kelowna

Woman stabbed in Abbotsford

Police say a woman is in hospital after being stabbed in Abbotsford. Police say officers responded to reports of suspicious activity in an area near Nadeau Park yesterday afternoon and found a 46-year-old woman suffering from stab wounds.